Keep on the Borderlands - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Keep on the Borderlands

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
erich
Oct 04, 2008 13:14:52 I'll be starting a new campaign soon and rather than use the new modules, I thought it might be fun to revisit a classic.
Has anyone tried to convert Keep on the Borderlands to 4th ed.
If so, how did it go?
It seems to me that with the flavor of D&D going back to the flavor of the original game it might be a natural for conversion.
Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.
(I haven't written or modified an adventure in years. :D )
Thanks

-Erich
#2
SoulCatcher78
Oct 04, 2008 18:02:14 The actual conversion shouldn't take that long, just keep in mind the amount of XP you're doling out (as the monster mix is looking more at slower progression for defeating monsters with BECMI and AD&D). It wouldn't do for the PCs to be 5th level before confronting the evil priest and his skeleton minions in the end.

Given the cramped quarters of the Caves of Chaos, I would suggest heavy minion usage. While this might not seem as challenging to a standard group, it will prompt them to get at least 4 encounters between long rests. Treasure will have to be recalculated for 4E (not too hard to do) since earlier editions counted treasure for XP (hence the lower amt for defeating monsters).

If you'd like to take a look at a newer version, check out Castle Zagyg (upper works) from Troll Lord Games. It's as close as we're going to get to the original Castle Greyhawk and the initial encounters feel a lot like the Keep on the Borderlands module (several different tribes of creatures in a small area).
#3
yellowdingo
Oct 04, 2008 23:16:53 I combined it with the other D&D adventures from B1-9 and created the Theocracy of Chaos a group of chaos clerics who are creating an army of undead in their respected temples. THen I pit the PCs against Humanoid warbands the BBEG's church is supplying with weapons and coordination. Eventually they begin to see a pattern and track them back to the assorted hideouts.
I didnt reduce the strength of the encounter - if anything I made it a hard fight that took the PCs past "name level" and their real reward was estates in this lawless land from the King.
#4
meretri
Oct 07, 2008 16:44:29
I'll be starting a new campaign soon and rather than use the new modules, I thought it might be fun to revisit a classic.
Has anyone tried to convert Keep on the Borderlands to 4th ed.
If so, how did it go?
It seems to me that with the flavor of D&D going back to the flavor of the original game it might be a natural for conversion.
Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.
(I haven't written or modified an adventure in years. :D )
Thanks

-Erich

WotC beat you to the punch on that one several months ago. It's not the complete conversion, but should get you started.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drfe/20080530a

I was actually thinking of running that myself sometime. Let me know how you work some of the details out if you don't mind sharing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 erich Oct 04, 2008 13:14:52	I'll be starting a new campaign soon and rather than use the new modules, I thought it might be fun to revisit a classic. Has anyone tried to convert Keep on the Borderlands to 4th ed. If so, how did it go? It seems to me that with the flavor of D&D going back to the flavor of the original game it might be a natural for conversion. Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome. (I haven't written or modified an adventure in years. :D ) Thanks -Erich
#2 SoulCatcher78 Oct 04, 2008 18:02:14	The actual conversion shouldn't take that long, just keep in mind the amount of XP you're doling out (as the monster mix is looking more at slower progression for defeating monsters with BECMI and AD&D). It wouldn't do for the PCs to be 5th level before confronting the evil priest and his skeleton minions in the end. Given the cramped quarters of the Caves of Chaos, I would suggest heavy minion usage. While this might not seem as challenging to a standard group, it will prompt them to get at least 4 encounters between long rests. Treasure will have to be recalculated for 4E (not too hard to do) since earlier editions counted treasure for XP (hence the lower amt for defeating monsters). If you'd like to take a look at a newer version, check out Castle Zagyg (upper works) from Troll Lord Games. It's as close as we're going to get to the original Castle Greyhawk and the initial encounters feel a lot like the Keep on the Borderlands module (several different tribes of creatures in a small area).
#3 yellowdingo Oct 04, 2008 23:16:53	I combined it with the other D&D adventures from B1-9 and created the Theocracy of Chaos a group of chaos clerics who are creating an army of undead in their respected temples. THen I pit the PCs against Humanoid warbands the BBEG's church is supplying with weapons and coordination. Eventually they begin to see a pattern and track them back to the assorted hideouts. I didnt reduce the strength of the encounter - if anything I made it a hard fight that took the PCs past "name level" and their real reward was estates in this lawless land from the King.
#4 meretri Oct 07, 2008 16:44:29	I'll be starting a new campaign soon and rather than use the new modules, I thought it might be fun to revisit a classic. Has anyone tried to convert Keep on the Borderlands to 4th ed. If so, how did it go? It seems to me that with the flavor of D&D going back to the flavor of the original game it might be a natural for conversion. Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome. (I haven't written or modified an adventure in years. :D ) Thanks -Erich WotC beat you to the punch on that one several months ago. It's not the complete conversion, but should get you started. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drfe/20080530a I was actually thinking of running that myself sometime. Let me know how you work some of the details out if you don't mind sharing.